News in Brief: Ari Up, Zs, Dirtbombs, Playground

-- On January 16, Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg will host a birthday tribute to the late Slits frontwoman Ari Up, who died last year. The lineup includes various former Slits, including Tessa Pollitt, Bruce Smith (also of Public Image Ltd.), and Neneh Cherry (yes, she was in the band). It also features Captain Beefheart guitarist Gary Lucas, King Django, members of the Slackers, and writer Greg Tate. Proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Cancer Research Fund.

-- Last year, Brooklyn experimental rockers Zs released their album New Slaves. And on January 25, the Social Registry will release New Slaves Part II: Essence Implosion!, which collects remixes of tracks from the original album. Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Cex, Foetus' JG Thirlwell, Ecstatic Sunshine, and the Rapture's Gabe Andruzzi all contribute.

-- Party Store, the new album from Detroit garage-punk vets the Dirtbombs, consists entirely of covers of classic Detroit techno tracks, of all things. The album drops February 1 on In the Red, and it features the band's takes on tracks like Derrick May's "Strings of Life", Inner City's "Good Life", and Cybotron's "Alleys of Your Mind". Carl Craig himself programs synths on the version of his Innerzone Orchestra's "Bassbin". Watch the video for the Dirtbombs' version of A Number of Names' "Sharevari" here.

-- The Playground Weekender festival comes to Del Rio Riverside Resort in New South Wales, Australia February 17-20, and its lineup features Doves, Lamb, Tricky, De La Soul, Caribou, Architecture in Helsinki, Four Tet, Black Mountain, Toro Y Moi, Kool & the Gang, Kate Nash, Tunng, and many others. Teepee accommodation is available.